MSMEs and services trade: A pathway to more inclusive growth?

MSMEs (micro, small and medium-sized enterprises) are known to play a critical role in countries’ economies, both as sources of employment and as suppliers of diverse goods and services. Yet they receive little attention at policy level, with many failing to achieve their economic potential.

This is particularly evident in…

Golden Key Chapter celebrates high-status standing

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) branch of the Golden Key International Honour Society is going from strength to strength.

Just recently the chapter at the campus in Vanderbijlpark was awarded the coveted Gold Chapter Standing, for its involvement and adherence to the society’s pillars of academics, leadership and service. This was done…

Puppets promote learning amongst young minds

It was a sight to behold. As the music started to play and the velvet curtains drew open, the kids at the El Shaddai Primary School in Vanderbijlpark drew in their breaths and their eyes shone with wonder. It was time for the colourful puppets to talk and for small children to listen and learn.

Puppetry, as an educational tool, forms part…

Brexit agreement is a major step towards avoiding widespread disruption

“The fact that the United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have reached an agreement on Brexit after complex negotiations will be generally welcomed in view of the wider implications of 'hard' Brexit for key components of the world trading system.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known economist and…

NWU Engineering gives her dreams wings – literally!

She is inspired by the people around her – by friends, family and, in her professional career, by her lecturers. Today Dr Angelique Janse van Rensburg is someone who in turn inspires others by her absolutely unquenchable passion for what she does – being an engineer!

As former student and former lecturer at the Faculty of…

Transport crises, transport opportunities

There are crises in the South African transport sector, but this same sector is also rife with opportunities.

This according to Ofentse Mokwena, a lecturer and researcher in transport economics at the North-West University (NWU).

With October being Transport Month, Ofentse feels both the good and the bad should be…

PhD in Setswana: a first for NWU’s campus in Mahikeng

The North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng conferred the first ever Setswana PhD in the history of the Department of Setswana, since its establishment about 39 years ago.

A Doctor of Philosophy in Languages and Literature in Setswana was conferred on Eileen Elizabeth Pooe, an educator, lecturer and head of the Department…

Property mogul honoured at NWU graduation

The North-West University (NWU) conferred an honorary doctorate on Mr Keith Bothongo during its annual Spring Graduation ceremony held at its campus in Mahikeng on Thursday, 17 October 2019.

The two-day graduations signalled the end of a long, yet exciting journey for the more than 246 graduates who received their degrees and diplomas…

The world awaits Thandi Hlotshana

Thandi Hlotshana is about to see the world. Hailing from the East Rand, the bubbly 23-year old who is a final-year BA student in industrial psychology and labour relations at the North-West University (NWU) has been awarded the Abe Baily Bursary – one of only 18 recipients in the country.

On 24 November she will leave South Africa’s shores…

SA must build on WEF’s better global competitiveness ranking

“The rise in South Africa's ranking from 67th to 60th out of 141 countries in the 2019 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report is welcome news at a time when the country's economic performance is at a low ebb and the economy is in a 'low growth trap'.”

This is according to Prof Raymond Parsons, a well-known…